Greenbox Self Storage Blog

How to Rent a Storage Unit for Your Big Move

There’s a lot that goes into moving between houses or apartments. Maybe your realtor told you had to clean up your home so they can sell it. Or maybe your move-in date doesn’t align with your move-out date. Either way, you are now in need of a self-storage unit to safely store all of your precious belongings for a short term. The process may seem straight forward, but you’ll soon find there’s a lot more that goes into renting a storage unit than first meets the eye. Here, we’ll educate you on how to properly and successfully rent a self-storage unit.

Storage Contracts

We sign them all the time. Usually they bind us into long agreements we wish we could escape. Apartments, gyms, phones all have long term contracts. Why can’t they just let us be free? Well, for storage it’s different. When moving, make sure you do your research and pick a facility that offers month-to-month storage unit contracts. Greenbox offers these month-to-month contracts because we know your needs, especially for those moving houses or apartments, can require only short-term rentals.

Pick the Right Location

Some self-storage companies offer discounts for renting in locations that are out of your way. This might be tempting, but first you must think about how often you’ll be accessing your storage units. Its often in your best interest­, and real estate agents will always agree, to rent a storage unit close to your new home or apartment. Also, make sure the storage facility can be easily accessed by car. You won’t want to be searching up and down side streets in the middle of the night to find your valuables. Take a look at our locations to see if we’re in your area. We’re all over Denver and Centennial.

Storage Unit Types

Self-storage units generally come in three types: Drive-up, indoor, and outdoor units. Drive-up units can be found on the ground floor of a facility and have doors made for easy and quick access. Indoor storage units typically are more resistant to dust and humidity and many are climate-controlled. Outdoor units can be covered or uncovered and are great for vehicle storage. Do a little research as to what type of unit fits your needs. Greenbox offers indoor units with many ground-floor units being drive-up. Our storage tips can further help you decide on which storage unit is best.

Storage Unit Size

Storage units can range from small-closet sized up to the size of a small warehouse. Choosing what size you need depends on: 1) how much stuff you have, and 2) how organized you want your space to be. Some people choose to pack all their belongings into every square inch of the space. Others like to let their boxes breathe and allow easy walk-in access to reach the boxes in the back. Use our Storage Calculator to help you determine the size you need. Greenbox offers units as small as 2.5x5 feet up to 10x40 feet.

Facility Amenities

Maybe you’re not too picky. Maybe you desire the finer things in life. When storing indoors, some things to consider are proximity to the elevator, bathroom cleanliness, or package delivery. Whatever your preferences, be sure to visit the facility before you move-in so you can scope the place out. Greenbox facilities offer spotless bathrooms, package delivery, and small business solutions which include a meeting room, fax and copier access, wifi and other business services.

Climate-Controlled Storage Units

Don’t just rent any old storage unit. If you’re storing belongings that sit indoors, some of them may be temperature-sensitive. Electronics, plants, wine, and antiques are just to name a few. Be sure to ask your facility if they offer climate-controlled units. They’re slightly more expensive than normal units, but it’s worth it.

Don’t hit your Head on the Door

Make sure you know your unit’s opening size before move-in. Drive-up units usually have large roll-up doors, but small unit’s doors can vary in size. Ask ahead of time if your king size mattress will fit in your 5x5 unit.

Security

All storage facility security is not created equal. Your precious belongings deserve top-end security so choose a facility that takes it seriously. Look for facilities with high gates, computerized keypad access, good lighting, on-site managers and security cameras. All the major storage companies have this, such as Greenbox with its individual customer access codes and 24-7 video recording, but your small-time family operated facilities may not.

Easy Access

You never know when you’ll be needing to access your storage unit. Most of the time, it means grabbing your skis or snow blower once a year. But then there’s times when you need a special document like a passport the night before your flight to Paris. Greenbox offers tenants access to their unit 24-7 for these close calls. But be sure to remember that a manager won’t always be around to answer questions or unlock loading docks for larger items. For these situations, know the business hours for your facility.

Get Covered

Having insurance for your belongings within your storage unit is a must. Even if you have a climate controlled, maximum security unit, some things are still out of the control of you and your self-storage company. Greenbox asks all tenants to have renter’s or homeowner’s insurance, which would cover damages to your items in the storage unit. If you don’t have insurance, ask your storage manager about a protection plan. Greenbox offers inexpensive protection plans based on the value you’d like to be covered for.

And that’s it! Now you’re ready for a smooth storage unit move-in and hopefully a seamless move to your brand new home! Follow us on social media for more self-storage tips or sign up below to have them delivered to your inbox!